The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences and Gold Kist Inc. announced the
establishment of the Gold Kist Professorship in Poultry Science
and Health Oct. 4 in Athens, Ga.

This endowed research position is being funded through a
bequest from the late founder of Gold Kist, D.W. Brooks. The
new professor will conduct research in avian disease and
poultry health enhancement.

"This position will bring a researcher of national and
international acclaim to UGA to complement and strengthen our
poultry research programs," said CAES Dean J. Scott
Angle. "This professorship will allow the department to
continue to build upon its outstanding reputation and will
ensure that U.S. poultry producers remain global leaders in the
efficient production of wholesome and high quality poultry
products."

Gold Kist President and CEO John Bekkers added, "Our company
has a long history of support and commitment to UGA. We believe
the establishment of this professorship has the potential of
being one of the most important investments Gold Kist has made
for the future of the poultry industry. Research in avian
disease prevention is critical to the industry's success, and
we are proud to be taking a leadership role along with UGA in
this research area."

Georgia is the No. 1 poultry-producing state in the nation.
Poultry represents more than half of the state's agricultural
income, employs more than 100,000 people and contributes more
than $13 billion annually to the state's economy. UGA's
Department of Poultry Science has developed a longstanding
reputation as one of the premier centers of poultry research in
the world.

"The position will be a joint appointment of the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the UGA College of
Veterinary Medicine," said Mike Lacy, CAES poultry science
department head. "This innovative approach strengthens the
natural relationship and interaction between our two colleges
and links our research in poultry nutrition, genetics and avian
health. The benefits of such research to Georgia poultry
farmers and consumers are critically important, whether we are
talking about routine disease prevention, food safety,
bioterrorism or keeping avian influenza out of the United
States."

"This new professorship will be a great addition to our already
well-respected graduate program and add to our ability to
provide highly trained specialists to meet the food industry's
needs in our state and nation," Lacy added.

"We are grateful for Gold Kist's continued leadership in the
poultry industry and at our university. This endowed position
will allow us to bring another world-class scientist to the UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty,"
Angle said.

Gold Kist is the third largest chicken company in the United
States, accounting for more than 9 percent of the chicken
produced in the United States in 2005. The company operates a
fully integrated business that includes live production,
processing, marketing and distribution. Gold Kist's operations
include nine divisions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North
Carolina and South Carolina.

(Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)